What turned out to be one of my favourite experiences on this trip happened to be the visit to Anthonij Rupert Wyne. Everything was so well planned out & the most incredible service from every person that was part of the day here.
We arrived to a glass of bubbly & got to walk around the Anthonij Rupert tasting room which served as the Manor House on the estate & is completely furnished in mid 19th century Cape Dutch style.
Thereafter we were ushered out to find this vintage Rolls Royce parked outside, only to hear that this would be our ride for the day.
Now I may not be the biggest car person on this planet, but when it comes to old cars & especially cars of this caliber, I get somewhat excited. So off we drove up around the farm on the private roads, that are closed off to the public, all the way to the Franschhoek Motor Museum.
Here we were taken on a private guided tour of each motor vehicle, motorcycle & bicycle that was on display at that moment in time. What an experience. Our guide for the day was so knowledgeable about every item on the show floor; from who, when & where it was manufactured, to how it found it's way onto the showroom floor today. I fell in love with some of those cars, & looking at some of them, I realised that I was born in the wrong era. I so would have loved to drive some of those older beauties back in the 40's or 50's.
With over 100 years of motoring history & unique collection at this beautiful setting, I rate it is a must see for every person, whether you're a car fanatic or not. You'll be able to appreciate the beauty & history behind some of those incredible collection items.
What also makes it quite cool is that you can visit 4 times in 1 year & see different cars out on display every time, as they are changed up every few months just to add some new variety to the mix.
Located at the museum is also a restaurant & wine sales for just in case you need to something to eat or a refreshment.
But then, off we went again in the vintage Rolls Royce back across the estate, taking the scenic route & enjoying the drive. What I can say about this estate is that nothing was out of place. You can see that a lot of effort has gone into the details here & that everything is maintained to the most perfect conditions. Making it such a pleasure to sit back & relax whilst taking everything in on this visit.
Finally we arrived at the Terra Del Capo tasting room, & a lovely welcome glass of fresh, crisp MCC. This tasting room was built as to showcase the Italian inspired Terra Del Capo range.
Kicking things off here with a cheese & wine pairing. But there is a twist. Nothing is specifically pre-paired for you. You are left to sample an array of cheeses & sip on 4 of their wines & find pairings that fit your palate & discover what works for you.
Terra Del Capo - Pinot Grigio : a light, crispy yet aromatic fresh white that gives you hints of stone fruits & some lemon on the nose. On the palate you should have a good balance & structure with a refreshing aftertaste. A blend of grapes form 3 different regions within the Western Cape, each then contributing to a different & unique attributes of the wine.
Terra Del Capo - Sangiovese : a complex wine with ripe cherries on both the nose & the palate. With highlights of a bit of spice. You can definitely get that hint of oak that's just added some depth to this glass. You may even get a slight mouthful of light cocoa in that soft aftertaste.
Anthonij Rupert - Optima : what I love about this bottle is that what you get on the nose, you'll get on the palate. So expect some ripe red & black fruits mixed with some spice. A complex full bodied wine that could even describe as being somewhat chunky, but beautifully structured flavours of black cherries, blueberries & plums.
L'Ormarins - Cape LBV : a little something sweet & spicy to end off with. Nuts & Ripe Plums on the notes, that will have you thinking of that Christmas pudding. On the palate those nuts develop into more distinct roasted hazelnuts & pecan nuts. A smooth & balanced glass where you can expect the flavours to remain in the mouth for a wine as that aftertaste develops.
The fine cheese selection has a bit of local & imported artisanal cheese, that too, are made in a true Italian-style. From a mild & grainy to a strong & creamy, they have included smoked Mozzarella, aged Fontina & Gorgonzola.
Finally catch the tram back up to the manor house to end off the magnificent day at this beautiful estate.
Visit Anthonij Rupert Wyne here.
You should also note, that any visit to Anthonij Rupert Wyne is by appointment only & you won't be able to get through the security gates if you have not made that appointment.
#WineRoutingWithLloyd
